Argyranthemum plant named ‘OHAR0132’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Argyranthemum  plant named ‘OHAR0132’ characterized by its single inflorescence form with white-colored ray florets and yellow-colored disc florets, freely branching character, medium green-colored foliage and upright growth habit.

Latin name of the genus and species of plant claimed:Argyranthemum×hybrida

Variety denomination: ‘OHAR0132’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofArgyranthemum plant botanically known as Argyranthemum×hybrida, andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘OHAR0132’.

The new Argyranthemum originated in a controlled breeding program inWinmalee, New South Wales, Australia during December 2000. Theobjectives of the breeding program were the development of Argyranthemumplants that are freely branching, have a compact upright growth habitare freely flowering and have unique flower coloration.

The new cultivar originated from the open-pollination of the cultivar‘Frosty’, (not patented, characterized by its small inflorescences,white ray florets, yellow disc florets, and compact growth habit. Seedfrom the above stated open-pollination was germinated and grown tomaturity. One plant from within the progeny was discovered and selectedby the inventor during June 2001, in a controlled environment atWinmalee, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings takensince June 2001 at Winmalee, NSW, Australia and West Chicago, Ill. hasdemonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type, with all thecharacteristics as herein described, firmly fixed and retained throughsuccessive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype mayvary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature,light intensity, and day length without, however, any variance ingenotype.

It was repeatedly found that the cultivar of the present invention:

-   -   1. Exhibits a single inflorescence form with white-colored ray        florets and yellow-colored disc florets,    -   2. Forms medium green-colored foliage,    -   3. Exhibits a freely branching character, and    -   4. Exhibits a compact upright growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female parentprimarily in inflorescence size.

Plants of the new cultivar are most similar to the cultivar ‘Sugar Baby’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,298). However, in side-by-side comparisons,plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of ‘Sugar Baby’ in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new cultivar are taller than plants of ‘Sugar        Baby’, and    -   2. Plants of the new cultivar have larger inflorescences than        plants of ‘Sugar Baby’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typicalflower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in thephotographs differ slightly from the color values cited in the detaileddescription which more accurately describe the colors of the newcultivar. The plants were grown in 10 m cm pots for 10 weeks in agreenhouse at West Chicago, Ill.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the overall growth and flowering habitof the new cultivar with one plant per pot.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of individual flowers of the newcultivar showing the change in color as the disc florets mature.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is TheR.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England,1995 edition, except where color terms of ordinary significance areused. The color values were determined on Sep. 25, 2003. The readingswere taken between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. under natural light conditions.The plants were produced from cuttings taken from stock plants and weregrown in a double polycarbonate covered greenhouse in West Chicago, Ill.under conditions comparable to those used in commercial practice. Theplants were grown in 10 cm pots while utilizing a soilless growthmedium. Greenhouse temperatures were maintained at approximately 65°-78°F. (18°-25° C.) during the day and approximately 50°-60° F. (10°-15° C.)during the night. Greenhouse light levels were maintained at 6,000 to9,000 footcandles during the day. Plants used for the followingdescriptions and measurements were grown for 10 weeks from planting ofrooted cuttings.

-   Botanical classification: Argyranthemum×hybrida cultivar ‘OHAR0132’.-   Parentage: Open-pollination of the cultivar ‘Frosty’ (not patented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—Terminal stem.        -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 7 to 10 days.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—Approximately 14 to 21            days.        -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching.-   Plant description:    -   -   Crop time.—Approximately 8 weeks in a 10 cm pot.        -   Habit of growth.—Compact. Freely branching. One or two            pinches improves basal branching.        -   Form.—Upright, mounded.        -   Plant height.—A mature plant, 10 weeks after the planting of            a rooted cutting, commonly measures approximately 35.5 cm            from soil level to top of plant plane.        -   Plant width (area of spread).—Approximately 28.8 cm.        -   Branch description.—Quantity per plant: Approximately 12.            Texture: Glabrous. Length from soil level to base of            peduncle: Approximately 15.7 cm. Diameter: Approximately            5.1 mm. Internode length at middle of branch: Approximately            1.1 cm. Color: 145A.        -   Foliage description.—Leaves are simple and non-fragrant.            Arrangement: Alternate. Quantity per branch:            Approximately 19. Aspect: At an acute angle to the stem.            Shape: Pinnatified. Margin: Entire. Apex: Acute. Base:            Sessile, clasping. Texture: Upper and lower surfaces are            glabrous. Venation pattern: Pinnate. Length: Approximately            5.9 cm. Width: Approximately 3 cm. Color of mature foliage:            Upper surface: 137A with venation of 143B. Lower surface:            137C with venation of 143B.-   Flowering description:    -   -   Flowering habit.—Freely flowering.        -   Natural flowering season.—Year round in greenhouse            environment and spring through autumn in outdoor garden.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Solitary, composite. Persistent. Shape: Round.            Aspect: Facing upward or outward. Disc and ray florets            develop acropetally on a capitulum. Fragrance: None.            Quantity of flowers and buds per lateral branch:            Approximately 10 flowers and 15 buds.        -   Size.—Diameter: Approximately 4.3 cm. Depth: Approximately            9.2 mm.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence.—Approximately 7-10 days.        -   Shape.—Round. Diameter: Approximately 6.3 mm. Depth:            Approximately 6.1 mm. Color: 165B.        -   Ray florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: Approximately 18,            arranged in a single whorl. Aspect: Flat to slightly            concave. Arrangement: Very slightly overlapping. Shape:            Ligulate. Margin: Entire. Apex: Emarginate. Base: Attenuate            and fused to form tube. Texture: Glabrous and ribbed.            Length: Approximately 1.6 cm. Width: Approximately 4.3 mm.            Color of young and mature ray florets: Upper and lower            surfaces: 155D. Tube texture: Pubescent. Tube color: N144A.        -   Disc.—Diameter: Approximately 1.3 cm. Depth: Approximately 6            mm.        -   Disc florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: Approximately 205.            Shape: Tubular with five lobes each having an acute apex.            Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous. Length: Approximately            4 mm. Diameter at apex: Approximately mm. Diameter at base:            Approximately 2 mm. Color before opening: 34A. Color after            opening: 13B. Calyx: Shape: Tubular. Length: Approximately            2 mm. Diameter: Approximately 1 mm. Color: Colorless,            translucent.        -   Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence: Approximately 35.            Arrangement: Imbricate, arranged in several rows. Shape:            Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Texture:            Glabrous, papery along edges. Length: Approximately 4 mm.            Width: Approximately 4 mm. Color of upper surface: Closest            to 145C. Color of lower surface: Closest to 145D.        -   Peduncle.—Strength: Strong. Texture: Glabrous. Aspect: At an            acute angle to the stem. Length: Approximately 9.7 cm.            Diameter: Approximately 1.2 mm. Color: 144A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Present on disc florets            only. Stamens: 4. Anther shape: Anther length: Less than            1 mm. Anther color: Amount of pollen: Moderate. Pollen            color: 13A. Gynoecium: Present on ray and disc florets.            There is one pistil per floret. Pistil length: 2 mm. Stigma            shape: two parted. Stigma length: 1 mm. Stigma color: 150C.            Style length: Less than 1 mm. Style color: 144C. Ovary            diameter: Less than 1 mm. Ovary color: 144C.-   Seed and fruit production: Neither seed nor fruit production has    been observed.-   Disease and pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests    common to Argyranthemums has not been observed.-   Hardiness zone: ‘OHAR01240’ is hardy in zones nine (9) and above.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Argyranthemum plant named ‘OHAR0132’substantially as herein shown and described, which:
 1. Exhibits a singleinflorescence form with white-colored ray florets and yellow-coloreddisc florets,
 2. Forms medium green-colored foliage,
 3. Exhibits afreely branching character, and
 4. Exhibits an upright growth habit.